The League of Nil; the rest of the week that was

The LA Galaxy managed a comeback, but that overshadows the fact that Curt Onalfo is making first half tactical subs with some regularity. The 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire probably buys the coach some time, but when a head coach’s gameplan is so frequently wrong after a week of prep the problem lies with the coach.

All nicknames provided in the standings sidebar have been use by their teams for at least a month, except the Sporks. That’s a mocking nickname, because I don’t like SKC. NYCFC fans have called the club the Pigeons for about a year. I refuse to call Atlanta the “Five Stripes.”

Colorado is bad. They lost 1-nil at home to a Vancouver Whitecaps team that still hasn’t figured out who they are. The Rapids look more like the listless pre-Jermaine Jones version than the team that nearly won the Supporters’ Shield just a year ago. Mastroeni is a bad coach more often than a good one.

In fact, it was a flood of X-nil results this weekend. Even Philly got a 3-nil win. It was eight months ago when they last won (Aug 27, 2016). Think of all the changes in the league since late August last year.

In further surprises the Impact won on the road. Montreal pulled off a 1-nil win over D.C. United. Minnesota grabbed an early lead and didn’t give it up. Their win puts them ahead of the Sounders.

Crew won 2-nil over New England. The Revs had trouble with Higuain, Kamara and Meram. Trapp played a more advanced role in this one. You should probably watch it.

When will the Houston Dynamo start looking not amazing? Their 4-nil thumping of Orlando City is their fifth home win of the year. Only OCSC has as many wins at home.

Real Salt Lake continues to struggle. Dallas beat them 3-nil and Petke is willing to take the blame. Sure, this isn’t a team built for or by him, but only two teams are worse by PPG. They are about to lose two talented youngsters to the U20 World Cup.

Portland lost 3-nil to San Jose. I’d laugh harder, but the Timbers are 3rd in the West and 5th in the Shield. So no laughter, just more acceptance that this league is tough no matter the quality of the opponent, especially on the road.

Seattle Sounders laid an egg in the MLS Cup rematch with Toronto FC. The 1-0 loss was their first home loss in 14 games.

NYCFC didn’t get a shutout in their 3-1 win.

Midweek: Toronto beat Orlando 2-1. Sporting beat the Red Bulls 2-0.

Highlights of the Week

David Ousted with the save of the year, maybe...

Stefan Frei would like to challenge that idea.

Seyi Adekoya’s UCLA teammate gets on the board.

Check this out

There’s no fancy images for this one. For the second time this season the Galaxy made a tactical sub in the first half.

Seattle is 8th by goals scored, but 6th by goals scored per game. They are also right around that 33% mark for goals against.

Two of the top three MLS Fantasy players are Sporting KC defenders.

Race for the Shield

Toronto owns the top spot after picking up two wins in the week, but they are only third by PPG. FC Dallas is the leader by the per game played metric. Nine teams are within three points of the Shield lead.

Race for the West

FC Dallas leads the West, but five teams are within a single game of first. Seattle and Minnesota are the only teams within a single match of the red line.

Next week’s TV games (all times Pacific)

5/13 at Noon TFC hosts the Loons on UniMas/Facebook.

5/13 at 6 PM Chicago hosts the Sounders on ESPN2. The Berliner Pub in Renton will be hosting the MLS Cup.

5/14 at 1 PM Portland hosts Atlanta on ESPN. It is also Mothers’ Day. It is also my birthday. Atlanta should give me a present.

5/14 at 3 PM Red Bulls host Galaxy on FS1. Give me a gift Mr. Marsch.

5/14 at 5 PM Dallas hosts Pigeons on FS1. That’s a lot of soccer on Mothers’ Day.